Which telephoto lens to buy?

[Amethyst]

Tour company advised bringing at least a 300mm telephoto lens for SLR cameras. I have no experience with TP lenses.

We have a Canon Rebel T5i SLR camera. The Canon 300mm TP lens runs anywhere from $85 to $250 on various sites. Space, not price is the issue. The 300MM will fit in the gadget bag along with the camera.

I also see ads for a 500-1,000mm lens, for not much more money, but the durn thing must be a foot long. Would require its own bag, more to hang around one's neck, safeguard from accidents, etc. We need to travel light.

Would the big lens be that much better for getting long shots of wildlife and so on?

Thanks

Amethyst

[Ronstar]

The big lens would be better if the wildlife is far away. I have a 70-300 and a 150-600. I very seldom use the 150-600.

I would get something in the 300 range and a teleconverter if you need to boost it up a bit. You wouldn’t be happy toting around a big lens.

[Amethyst]

what's a teleconverter?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronstar The big lens would be better if the wildlife is far away. I have a 70-300 and a 150-600. I very seldom use the 150-600. I would get something in the 300 range and a teleconverter if you need to boost it up a bit. You wouldn’t be happy toting around a big lens.

[Ronstar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethyst what's a teleconverter?

It’s a small magnifying device that fits between the camera and lens. I don’t have one, but I read that photo resolution can be lessened a little by using one. Lots of savings on size and weight though compared to a big lens.

[Ronstar]

And I find my big lens difficult to handle for shooting moving objects. Tough to hold steady also.

[OldShooter]

Tell us a little more about the trip and what you will be photographing.

[easysurfer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronstar And I find my big lens difficult to handle for shooting moving objects. Tough to hold steady also.

Yes. Then have to start thinking about a tripod which adds more space. Plus, is a tripod practical at the place you are shooting?

There was a time I used to own an SLR (pre-digital days) with add on lenses. But I'm not serious (or good enough ) of a photographer to justify all the extra carry and add on accessories.

My camera (when I want something that feels more like a real camera and not a phone) now is a used point and shoot with with a built-in zoom of up 16x optical zoom. I know the quality isn't as good as for more serious shots, but the positive trade off is I can carry around in a pouch clipped on my belt.

I have used a teleconverter in the past. Did fine outdoors on a sunny day to increase a 300mm lens to 600mm magnification.

[Go-NoGo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethyst Tour company advised bringing at least a 300mm telephoto lens for SLR cameras. I have no experience with TP lenses. Amethyst

You may also want to look at the Nikon P1000, which gives you a 24-3000mm () range. I do not think you can change lenses on this camera, but with that range you may not need to. It also shoots 4k Video. The P900 is the older model at about half the price.

https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-COOLPIX...ds=nikon+p1000

I do not own any of the above cameras btw, just remember reading about them.

[chris2008]

I bought the Panasonic Lumix FZ 1000 for a trip to Namibia and I am perfectly happy with it.

[FmrLurker]

I have a Canon picturetaker and a Canon 300mm telephoto lense that I use often. when I bought the camera, I also bought a 500-1000mm lesser-known-brand (inexpensive) lens. I use the 300mm regularly, it stays in my go bag.


The 500-1000mm lens gets used every 2 or 3 years. The aperture (opening that lets light in) is too small for use other than on the very brightest days and on stationary object. Even with the perfect conditions and a tripod, the pictures don't look very sharp.


I've never been trained/educated in photography so there are probably more technically accurate ways to describe this...

[HFWR]

No expert, and no particular recommendations, but the lower cost lenses are limiting in low-light conditions. My Canon is f/4 wide, and f/5.6 at tele...

A tripod will come in handy!

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/canon-e...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Chuckanut]

IMHO, lens speed is more of an issue than a long focal length. A 300mm f/4 will give you better photos than a 400mm or 500mm f/5.6 lens since you can shoot at faster shutter speeds. Avoid telephoto zooms unless you get a really good one (IOW, pay a lot of $$'s). They are usually to slow.

The more 'telephoto' the lens is the more things shake and get blurry. Set your camera's ISO high 800, 1600. Bring a small bean bag to put the camera/lens on to brace the camera and lens so they shake less. Bean bags make a great cheap tripod.

.

[Texas Proud]

I bought a 'all in one' lens that is not much larger than a 50mm... mine is 28 to 200... not a fast lens but compact... it works pretty well...


Then DW made me buy an 18 to 50 zoom for landscape shots... I was surprised how much more you get with 18 than 28...





https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...6_3_di_vc.html

[6miths]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuckanut IMHO, lens speed is more of an issue than a long focal length. A 300mm f/4 will give you better photos than a 400mm or 500mm f/5.6 lens since you can shoot at faster shutter speeds. Avoid telephoto zooms unless you get a really good one (IOW, pay a lot of $$'s). They are usually to slow. The more 'telephoto' the lens is the more things shake and get blurry. Set your camera's ISO high 800, 1600. Bring a small bean bag to put the camera/lens on to brace the camera and lens so they shake less. Bean bags make a great cheap tripod. .

Agree. To get a really good long lens you are going to pay big money and not likely worth it for anyone who is not going to be using the lens quite a bit. A long APO lens which will be quite 'fast' meaning large aperture so that holding it steady is going to be less of an issue is going to be over a thousand dollar range. And truly long lenses are dramatically more.



I hauled all kinds of camera gear to various parts of Africa for many years. Including even a super telephoto mirror lens. More recently I have taken my iPhone and a if I really want to take a big camera just a DSLR with an 18-300 zoom. But honestly my goal now is to be in the moment and enjoy the experience. Someone else will always be able to get better pictures. Maybe get chummy with someone on the trip. If you do buy a lens for your Canon don't forget to look at Tamron and Sigma lenses. Both quality products at less cost. If you decide to buy used be sure to take your camera and computer and shoot a bunch of pics with the lens to make sure it doesn't have any issues.

[Amethyst]

You did great, thanks. I understand what you are saying.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FmrLurker I The 500-1000mm lens gets used every 2 or 3 years. The aperture (opening that lets light in) is too small for use other than on the very brightest days and on stationary object. Even with the perfect conditions and a tripod, the pictures don't look very sharp. I've never been trained/educated in photography so there are probably more technically accurate ways to describe this...

[OldShooter]

@Amythest, you haven't said what kind of trip/what kind of photography, but I'll make a few comments as someone who has been into photography for many years:

For travel, zoom lenses are the preferred choice. Using single focal length telephotos is like looking at a map through a toilet paper tube. Very hard to find things, especially wildlife. The animals and birds will not stay still while you hunt for them with your lens. A zoom minimizes the problem because you can find your subject with a wide angle setting and then zoom to get it the size you want. Another problem with a fixed focal length is that you get the framing the lens gives you, whether it is right, too tight, or too loose. I would strongly advise against that 300mm lens.

If you are planning to print your images poster size (over 24" on a side) or plan to sell them, high-quality lenses are important. If you are doing Facebook and web pages, they are not. So don't waste the money.

For most inexperienced photographers, the "super zooms" are an excellent choice. The FZ1000 was mentioned. My wife carries a Panasonic ZS50 and it is a fantastic little camera. Look for a wide angle of 24mm, stated as an equivalent to 35mm focal length: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/35_mm_...t_focal_length (Frankly, your Canon is probably not a good choice for a novice.) DPReview is a good source of information: https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/buy...ras-for-travel

Maybe you are doing an African photo safari. If so, try: https://www.mu-43.com/search/3657529...+safari&o=date for more than you ever wanted to know. In Africa, long lenses are essential. Like for this little guy shot at 800mm equivalent 35mm focal length:

If, OTOH, you are going to the Galapagos Islands, focal length is much less important. There, the wildlife is fearless and you are more likely to accidentally step on an iguana than you are to need a long lens.

[davebarnes]

You need a new camera.
https://petapixel.com/2018/09/05/can...orless-camera/
or
https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/p...rorless-system

[cbo111]

I had a large selection of lens back in my old SLR days. But for me, the 70-210 always seemed to be a very useful lens. Now, when I travel, the iPhone7 does a fine job, and no camera stuff to lug around. I even had a large framed pic made of a buffalo at Yellowstone taken with an iPhone from about 50 feet (me in car!). The detail is excellent, you can see individual hairs on the animal.

[Amethyst]

I don't suppose this will do? I'm not consciously trying to save money, but it looks like you can spend thousands on zoom lenses, so this seems suspiciously cheap.

https://www.amazon.com/Canon-75-300m...+t5i+zoom+lens

[easysurfer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethyst I don't suppose this will do? I'm not consciously trying to save money, but it looks like you can spend thousands on zoom lenses, so this seems suspiciously cheap. https://www.amazon.com/Canon-75-300m...+t5i+zoom+lens

Been a long time since I got a telephoto lens. But comparing that lens to others on Amazon, the price seems in the ballpark.